(Photo : VERONICA G. CARDENAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Tyrese Haspil, a 25-year-old man, has been given a prison sentence of 40 years to life for the murder of his former boss, Fahim Saleh. The decision was announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Tuesday, September 10.
Haspil was convicted for killing and decapitating Saleh on July 13, 2020, after stealing nearly $400,000 from him. According to reports, Haspil committed this crime in a bid to impress his French girlfriend, Marine Chaveuz. The brutal act took place in Saleh's luxurious apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
Tech CEO Fahim Saleh's Killer Requests for Life Sentence
District Attorney Bragg expressed the court's condemnation of Haspil's action and highlighted the efforts of the NYPD, including Detective Salvatore Tudisco, Sergeant Christopher Dede, and Detective Robert Hahn, whose work was crucial in bringing Haspil to justice.
During the court proceedings, Haspil insisted from his lawyer's argument against a 50-year sentence. Instead, he told Judge April Newbauer that he believed only a life sentence without the possibility of parole would be appropriate. This unexpected declaration left the courtroom in shock and marked a dramatic end to the case.
According to NY Post, Haspil's lawyer argued that Haspil should get a lighter sentence because he had a tough childhood. But the judge and prosecutors felt that a long prison sentence was the right punishment for such a serious crime.
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Fahim Saleh Gave Haspil a Chance to Pay But He Killed the CEO Instead
During the trial, it was revealed that Haspil had been stealing money from Saleh, who had previously given him a chance to repay the stolen money instead of turning him into the authorities. Despite Haspil's betrayal, Saleh opted for a repayment plan, which unfortunately led to his murder.
Haspil reportedly used a Taser to immobilize Saleh in the apartment's elevator before using a knife to fatally attack him. He then dismembered Saleh's body with an electric saw purchased from Home Depot, using the victim's credit card.
Surveillance footage captured Haspil buying the saw and later cleaning up the crime scene.
Saleh's sister, Rif Saleh, delivered a moving victim impact statement in court, condemning Haspil's actions, Pix11 reported.
Saleh's father, Ahmed Saleh, also expressed his disdain for Haspil's defense, calling it "sickening."
After killing Saleh, Haspil tried to clean the scene and dispose of the body parts. A week later, he was arrested at an Airbnb he had booked for himself and his girlfriend.
During the trial, Haspil's attorney, Sam Roberts emphasized that Haspil had experienced significant trauma and abuse, which he claimed influenced his actions.
However, the prosecution's demand for a sentence ranging from 50 years to life, coupled with the recovery of $399,614, was a reflection of the severity of Haspil's crimes.
Justice April Newbauer remarked that Haspil's actions seemed motivated primarily by greed.
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